President's Message

President Cheyney

As your President, I am pleased to greet you on behalf of your Board of Managers with our first and now current edition of the Society's quarterly newsletter. As we begin anew, you will notice that this newsletter has some fresh features and it is hoped that future editions will also offer some new insights and opportunities for greater interaction by the membership.

It is important that I express my thanks to the Vice Presidents and the Captain of the Color Guard whose assistance and input towards the office of the President have been invaluable to me. My special thanks also go to the Reverend Proctor for agreeing to be the Newsletter Editor. He has received the promises and assurances of the chairmen of the many committees to provide timely articles on their committee activities. It is my desire that during the next three years, we, as a Society, continue with bold initiatives to strengthen traditional programs and to profoundly influence and increase member participation and satisfaction, especially that of the younger members. Updates on these activities will be in the Newsletter.

President Emeritus Lloyd and Mayor John Street flank belltappers William & Jeffery Ward, Alica Ward, Hope Staller, Anne Ward and Aaron & Samantha Minsk at Liberty Bell Pavillion

Since April 2000, there have been five exciting months for the Society. They have been particularly busy for me beginning with the Annual Church service, where 138 adults and 28 children attended. The Fourth of July celebrations, including "Let Freedom Ring," had wide and broad-based participation, but it was not only from within the membership. More than 2,500 men, women and children observed our program at the Independence National Historic Park. Additionally, patriotic Americans throughout the Country, at more than 800 locations, rang bells on July 4, 2000 to celebrate and proclaim liberty throughout the land as a direct result of the efforts of your Society and its Let Freedom Ring Committee.

Dias Guests at July 4th Luncheon Chairman J. Byrne, Mr. & Mrs. W. Darby, Mr. & Mrs. L. Lewis, Col. & Mrs. Mark Stearns, USAF, McGuire AFB and Gen. & Mrs. Carlton Fulford, Jr., USMC, Deputy Cmdr. in Chief, US European Command, Rev. W. Protor and Mrs. Curtis Cheyney

These successful programs clearly demonstrate the commitment and talents of our Society members and the effectiveness of the Committee Chairmen. Kudos to the Chairmen, Joseph C. Byrne and Ronald Fenstermacher and to everyone involved in the effort to recognize and preserve the memories of significant Revolutionary War events and our revolutionary ancestors.

Soon after the Fourth of July, I was pleased to represent the Society at the meeting of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. I was pleased to hear many attendees express their appreciation and gratitude to the Society and for our efforts in programming "Let Freedom Ring". The Society accepted a gift of appreciation from the Preservation Society for the Paoli Battlefield given in recognition of the grant by our Society and its Color Guard to help preserve the battlefield. The Society also assisted in underwriting the scholarly work by Tom McGuire, and his now published book, The Battle of Paoli, which will draw attention to the historical significance of this battlefield. As you know, our Society has long enjoyed an incredibly rich culture and literary tradition and McGuire’s new book, in a very meaningful way, enhances that tradition. If you would like a copy of the book, contact the Society office; a limited number of copies are available at the publisher's price of $15.00.

A number of new Society projects are being developed, not the least of which has been our efforts in communicating with elected representatives in Washington, D.C. to muster their support for the Washington-Rochambleau Historical Route Legislative Initiative. This bill, HR4794, would preserve the sanctity of the route that the combined American and French armies followed as they left Connecticut, passed through Pennsylvania and Chester County on their march to Williamsburg, Virginia and eventually to Yorktown, Virginia. It was at Yorktown that General Cornwallis surrendered, leading the way to the signing of the Paris peace treaty.

Planning for the Triennial celebration in New Orleans in September and for the Musket Ball in October is ongoing and intense. Naturally, the Committee for the Musket Ball, as well as the Board of Managers, hopes that as many as possible will attend this event at the Philadelphia Country Club on October 7, 2000. We have invited the French Ambassador, Francois Bujon de 'LEstang, to be our special guest in recognition of the participation the French offered the colonists after their victory at Saratoga, New York.

Throughout all these months of activities and various programs, the Technology and Information Systems Committee has been working to improve access and communication with every member through our web page. Your Society has produced an exceptionally informative, user-friendly website that allows you access to your Society -- and you can do so 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Our web page address is www.amrev.org. The Board of Managers desires everyone to be familiar with and participate with access to the Society’s information, where you can plan to experience the many opportunities of fellowship and programming offered by your Society.

The Younger Member's Committee, with much encouragement and support, is set to initiate a series of new fall programs. One of particular note is a renewed grave-marking program for annual Memorial Day Celebrations. Several other new projects are being considered to encourage awareness of the Society's important role in preserving our heritage and for recognizing significant Revolutionary War events and our national heroes.

As you no doubt are aware, a membership survey is included with the Newsletter. Please be sure to read the accompanying article and learn why we are seeking your input. I sincerely hope that each member will take some time to think about his reply and then send all comments and suggestions to the office. If responses are complete, this questionnaire can be an invaluable management tool for us. It will also provide the kind of programs you desire, increase member participation and enhance pride in our Society.

We are particularly interested in comments from our Lancaster County Chapter, and from those members who live in the western and other areas more remote to Philadelphia.

Your Society will be busy in the upcoming months and years attempting to assure you of our first principle — to preserve the memory of our Revolutionary events and our ancestors. I encourage you to contact this President or any of the Society's Officers and Managers with suggestions or questions regarding any matter of importance to you and the Society. I look forward to meeting each of you during the next three years. Please plan to join us as soon as you can.

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Large Turnout for Annual Meeting

Approximately 150 members attended the Society’s 112th Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 13, 2000 in the Lincoln Memorial Room of the Union League in Philadelphia. As the end of his term approached, President Mark Frazier Lloyd expressed his satisfaction with certain achievements, including the development of the Society’s website and the strong percentage increase in the portion of the Society's budget devoted to public programs. He was presented with a plaque by Captain Andrew Jackson Salisbury, II, on behalf of the Color Guard, in appreciation of the excellent working relationship enjoyed between the Society and its Color Guard.

President Cheyney welcomes new members Richard U. Smith, Stephen Holt, Michael J. McIntyre and Eric E.L. Guenther, Jr. at Annual Meeting

The membership elected Curtis Paul Cheyney, III its 30^th President. In accepting the honor of his election, President- elect Cheyney outlined his goals for the Society. These include a greater effort to involve more younger members in the Society's activities; to nurture the unique resource that is our Color Guard; to ensure the effectiveness of the Society's programs and initiatives; and to make the Society's traditions and purposes resonate in relevance for the world we live in today.

Eric Thomas Slauter, the Sons of the Revolution / Society of the Cincinnati Dissertation Fellow for 1999-2000 presented an amusing and interesting address comparing two stories written about hermits in 1786 and how the use of the word "constitution" in both those tales may have expressed commentary on the constitutional debate taking place at that time.

Refreshments were served at the close of the meeting and 95 members remained to enjoy fraternal camaraderie and an excellent dinner in the League's South Marble Room.